Local Governing Board

Gillibrand Primary School Local Governing Board

 

The governors play a vital role in our school and trust community.  The Board of Trustees delegate certain functions to the Local Governing Board in line with the trust’s Scheme of Delegation.  Local governors provide challenge and support to the school leadership team in order to improve the quality of provision for our pupils.

The full remit of the Local Governing Board can be found here; details are listed in the Terms of Reference.

The Local Governing Board meets at least once per term when the headteacher provides a report about the school and the progress being made towards targets set.  The governors’ role is crucial in holding the headteacher and wider leadership team to account for the standards in the school.

The work of the Local Governing Board is then reported to the Board of Trustees, which is accountable for all the schools in our trust.

Governor visits

Governors make regular visits to the school each term to assess the quality of provision for our pupils.  Governors may, for example, visit lessons, speak with pupils and staff, and look at pupils’ work and then report back to the Local Governing Board.  Governors use their observations and increased awareness to challenge and develop the school’s leadership team.

 

Governors 2024/25

Chair: Elizabeth Green

Vice Chair: Diane Curtis

Headteacher: Hannah Clark

Deputy Headteacher: Benjamin Thomas

Co - opted Governor: Mark MacDonald

Co-opted Governor: Simon Thain

Co-opted Governor: Tom Jowett

Co-opted Governor: Amy Holly

Parent Governor: Jenny Taylor

Parent Governor: Haydn Jeffrey

Parent Governor: Andy Hunter-Rossall

 

Local Governors: terms of office and attendance 2023 - 2024

Local Governors: terms of office and attendance 2024 - 2025

 

 

Pen portraits of the governors

Mrs Green (Chair)

I have been a member of the Local Governing Board at Gillibrand Primary since September 2022 and was elected Chair in March 2024. I also served as the chair of the Curriculum and Standard and Effectiveness committee.

As a recently retired primary school headteacher I am passionate about ensuring that every child achieves their true potential regardless of their starting points and support and share Gillibrand’s vision of nurturing children’s dreams. As the Chair of the LGB my role involves me working very closely with both school and Trust leaders to ensure that the best outcomes for all are achieved. My background and experience also hopefully give me an insight into the many challenges that schools face in an ever changing world.

 

Diane Curtis (Co-opted Governor) 

I have been a member of the local governing board at Gillibrand since September 2019. I served initially as a parent governor and when my term ended I was appointed for another term as a co-opted governor. I am currently vice-chair of the governing board and have also served as chair of the Resources Committee. All of my four children attended Gillibrand, so my association with the school goes back over twenty years. I have always felt that Gillibrand is a wonderful school, and as a governor I want to try to help ensure that it continues to provide a safe nurturing learning environment, where all children can thrive and receive the best possible start in life to help them achieve their true potential. 

 

Amy Holly (Co-opted governor) 

I have served as a member of the Local Governing Board at Gillibrand Primary School since November 2023. In this role, I am responsible for overseeing the implementation of English and Phonics to ensure high standards and effective practices that support pupil progress. With 11 years of experience as an English teacher at Parklands High School, I have recently taken on the role of leading reading across the school. I am committed to using my expertise in English and my teaching experience to support both pupils and staff at Gillibrand, helping to create an enriching learning environment that aligns with the school's ethos and values. As a teacher within the Aspirational Futures Multi-Academy Trust, I also have the opportunity to share best practices and strengthen the connection between primary and secondary education—an essential bridge that can sometimes be overlooked.

 

Andy Hunter-Rossall (Parent Governor) 

I have been a member of the Local Governing Board at Gillibrand Primary School since September 2024, when my daughter also started in Reception at the school. I have previously worked as a secondary school teacher and I am passionate about closing attainment gaps and widening opportunities for young people. Currently I work in the finance team for a large worker cooperative and have several years’ experience on its board of directors. I hope I can bring knowledge and skills from my work in education and from my work in governance of a large business to my role as a parent governor. 

 

Haydn Jeffrey (Parent Governor)

I have had the privilege of being elected as a Parent Governor at Gillibrand Primary School since September 2024. I am extremely proud to say I have a daughter who has attended the school since reception. I have now been given the opportunity to offer my services as a Parent Governor, to ensure that the school continues to strive for excellence from both the pupils and staff. I am currently a serving member of the British Army and hold the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1. I have been in the military for the last 24 years; in this time, I have held many varied roles from engineering, coaching and mentoring, to my current role as Senior Artificer Weapons for the Tri-Services. Throughout this time, I have been enthusiastic about getting the best from my teams and provided a safe environment for individuals to develop. In my current role I am responsible for the timely delivery of project and operational output in my area. Whilst this is my first time a part of a school governing body, I have gathered experience from sitting on other professional boards in an assurance capacity.
I am excited for the challenges this role offers and look forward to bringing a positive contribution to the governing team and school as whole.

 

Tom Jowett  (Co-opted governor)

I have been a member of the Local Governing Board at Gillibrand Primary since June  2024.

I’m a dedicated professional with over 15 years of work across a range of youth services, safeguarding, and community development. As Head of Youth Work and Safeguarding at a prominent children’s charity, I’m deeply passionate about ensuring that young people are safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with young people from a wide range of backgrounds around the world. This international experience has given me a unique perspective and has enriched my approach to youth development. It has also strengthened my commitment to creating inclusive and safe environments for all young people, no matter what challenges they may face. My work is driven by the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, and I’m committed to making that a reality for as many as possible.

 

Mark MacDonald (Co-opted Governor)

I’ve been a governor at Gillibrand since 2021, and I have two daughters in the school (Year 1 and 4). I’m an academic staff member at Lancaster University, in the maths department, and as such I have a deep interest in mathematics education at all levels. Although I don’t have much direct experience with primary maths teaching (and I was brought up in Canada, which has a different curriculum), I deeply believe in the value of maths education to society generally, so I’d be happy to contribute positively in any way that I can.

 

Jenny Taylor (Parent Governor)

I’ve been a member of the Local Governing Board at Gillibrand Primary since September 2021.

I have a daughter in year six and my son who is in his final year of high school also went to Gillibrand.

I’m passionate about ensuring every child has the same opportunities to excel at school, my son is autistic so I understand how difficult the school environment can be for neurodivergent children. Nurturing the hopes, dreams and ambitions of each child will ensure they reach their full potential and gain the most from their primary school education.

My background is in corporate banking and although very different to education, I bring experience is managing finances and ensuring budgets are well managed for the benefit of the children.

 

Simon Thain (Co-opted Governor)

I have been a member of the Local Governing Board at Gillibrand Primary since November 2003. I have undertaken a variety of roles and responsibilities in the last 21 years. I am currently the governor responsible for behaviours and attitudes.

My daughter attended Gillibrand 2002-2009, and her time spent there helped to foster her dreams and aspire to succeed. She attended Huddersfield University and obtained a 1^st Class BSc & MSc Distinction in Psychology. I want every Gillibrand pupil to have the same chance to reach for the stars and see their dreams come true.

Our job as governors is to ensure the school is effectively guided and is doing everything it can to make the vision of success and aspirations become a reality.

In my working life, I am responsible for managing a team that look after the running of the local motorways and main roads. My job is to ensure that these roads are kept safe and are available to use throughout the year.

I enjoy holidays in Greece and am trying to learn Greek since 2007 . I am also relearning German, which I first started to learn in High School in 1979.

 

Ben Thomas (Staff Governor)

I have been a member of the Local Governing Board at Gillibrand Primary since September 2023. As one of the school's longest-serving staff members, I am deeply committed to ensuring the very best outcomes for our school, its pupils, and the families I have come to know so well.
With experience teaching across both Key Stages, I have a strong understanding of the national curriculum and a passion for delivering engaging and meaningful learning experiences through the ‘Gillibrand Way.’
In my role as Deputy Head, I work closely with the Headteacher to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the school, striving to provide an exceptional education despite increasingly challenging circumstances. Through the strong relationships I have built with our school community, I hope to continue making a positive impact—both as a teacher and as a Governor.
 

Declarations of interest